By Thompson ABISOLA
A human right expert, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Wednesday advised the executive and legislature to start the process of 2019 budget to ensure its passage before the general elections.
Onwubiko, the National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, gave the advice in Abuja.
He said the executive and legislative arms of government should synergise to draw up deliverables and key project components that would constitute the 2019 appropriation.
“This should be done as early as July to enable Mr President to submit the proposed budget to the National Assembly before October.
“The final copy should be ready for assent before first week of December and signed into law before December 31.’’
Onwubiko, however, expressed concern over effective implementation of 2018 budget because of 2019 elections.
“The 2019 election is around the corner; those who should implement and oversee the enforcement of the budget are currently busy with electioneering activities. Most Nigerians are no longer optimistic that politicians at all levels have the political will to effectively and efficiently implement the Appropriation Act,” he said.
Onwubiko said going through the previous budgets, most of the strategic national infrastructure such as roads, education and health had not positively impacted on life for Nigerians.
He said strategic roads such as the East/West highway that connected oil producing states to the rest of Nigeria were yet to reach appreciable level of completion.
“Federal roads covering the South East are yet to get adequate facelift. Apart from some rehabilitation on the Enugu/Okigwe/Aba/Port Harcourt federal highway, most parts of these key national road assets are still impassable and filled with notorious potholes.’’
The 2018 federal budget was signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on June 20 after it was raised from N8.61 trillion to N9.12 trillion by the National Assembly.
